Each year, between 11 and 19 selected individuals spend a year working as full-time paid fellows to senior White House staff, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials as White House Fellows.

Founded in 1964 by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson, the White House Fellows program is one of America’s most prestigious programs that promotes leadership and public service for gifted young Americans. 

As a White House Fellow, responsibilities range from participating in meetings, designing and implementing federal policies, drafting speeches and much more.

In addition, Fellows also participate in an Education Program during their fellowship. The program includes weekly speaker seminars, domestic policy trips and an international policy trip, as well as day trips to study various policy issues. 

Another big component of the Education Program involves studying U.S. policy across the country and abroad. The list of issues range from education to homeland security and transportation, energy, economic development, local governance, and health care.  

Over it’s 55-year history, more than 800 Americans have served as White House Fellows, and the program has produced hundreds of notable government and public leaders.

Notable former White House Fellows include:

• Mari Carmen Aponte, Former U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador
• Henry Cisneros, Former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
• Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal International Group
• The Honorable Judge Nelson Diaz, First Latino Judge in Pennsylvania
• Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
• Luis Nogales, Former President of Univision
• Jim Padilla, President of Ford Motor Company
• Colin Powell, Former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Lynn Schenk, U.S. Representative of California 

Those who have served as White House Fellows comprise the White House Fellows Foundation and Association, the alumni association. 

Established in 1969, the Foundation and Association’s mission is to provide support for:

• Those who have previously served as White House Fellows through our alumni activities, conferences, travel, and other support
• Those who are currently serving as White House Fellows through an annual Education Grant and other support to the President’s Commission
• Those who will serve as White House Fellows in the future through our efforts each year to recruit highly qualified candidates to the program

Applications for the 2021-22 Fellowship Class are currently open. Selection as a White House Fellow is based on the following criteria:

• A record of remarkable professional achievement early in one’s career
• Evidence of leadership skills and the potential for further growth
• A demonstrated commitment to public service
• The skills to succeed at the highest levels of the Federal government, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team

Interested individuals can find more information on how to apply to become a White House Fellow by clicking here.